Cameron Racing

Imperial Winter Series At Hillingdon Round 10

2012-01-28T19:17:00.002Z

Today Me and Luke Souter from Banbury star went to Hillingdon, Luke was in the 3rd cat race and I would be in the E/1/2/3 race. On the way there Luke said I should try doing a longer warm up, and I had got ready early and was warming up I did about 3 miles and I punctured. This was not good I did not have any spare wheels or tubes! I had to wait for Luke to finish (he did well and got 11th for his first race of the year) and swap my front wheel for his (which was better than mine). I then had to time to sit on the start line and feel cold. As the race started my legs felt abit tight, but I wanted to stay near the front but as I pulled of the front it sped up I found myself not being able pedal hard my legs felt ok but my lungs would not take it, it felt like not being able to take in enough air and lungs just hurting. I ended up not being able to get on the back and gave up after that. I did a few laps waiting to be lapped where I managed to warm up a bit better and then the bunch came round again and I jumped on the back and just tried to do the race as easy as possible, but by this point I did not care. As the race went on I thought about how I could have done the start better without a warm up, like wheel hanging for a few laps. I started to get a bit warm by the half way point and ended up taking my gloves off when the race slowed down. Not much happened and I kept up with the bunch and got 30 miles in at 25mph so it was still a good training ride. In the morning I will try and do a 5 hour training ride to make up for not doing so well today.

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Imperial Winter Series At Hillingdon Round 9

2012-01-21T19:28:00.003Z

Today I raced at Hillingdon again, it was windy but it was also warmer than last week. I was right on the front on the start line and feeling ready. As we started we rolled off and got up to speed soon after. The first 10 miles or more were hard, with the strong riders on the front pushing hard in the head wind and cross wind they managed to get away and it was a big group that got away! All though the race riders kept getting away and there was loads of break up the road, we even got lapped by the leading breakaway! As we got closer to the end I felt a bit better and with 3 riders not too far ahead and 1 lap left, I attacked and got up to them hoping we could work together but one guy got away and the other two would not work with me as I pulled over to let them come though. We got caught by the bunch and I managed to sit not too far from the front and in the sprint I managed to give everything to get too the line and I think I may have come about 26th. It was a hard race with the wind but I can say it was good training.

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Results here

Imperial Winter Series At Hillingdon Round 8

2012-01-14T18:47:00.004Z

Today was my first race of the year, I was unsure how this was going to go because over the winter I've been doing longer rides but I never had any fast average speeds even on short rides and I seemed to good at going slow for a few hours. It was cold as I warmed up and I met another Zappi rider who was in my race -the E123 race- Nick Baker who had already been doing well at Hillingdon. As I waited for the 3rd cat race to end an ambulance turned up and drove on to the track to help some one who had been in a crash and was laying on the floor, luckily the bunch got past it safely. I was on the start line I felt good but not sure if that would be enough to keep up. After a long wait the race started, there was no sudden sprinting but I looked down and we were up to 23 mph already and we hit the hill and it got faster about 28 mph and I was still there and still felt I could keep with the bunch. Not too long into the race a breakaway managed to get away and I was starting to feel like it was not too bad and like I would keep up. Nick got in the break and I never saw him again. A few more breaks try to go throughout the race and because this was an elite race everyone worked together and I even did a few turns on the front! This surprised me as I did not know if I had the legs to help work at the front. After many fast laps we got to the 5 laps to go and I checked my garmin and it said an average speed of 26 mph. The sprint came very quickly and I was near the back but felt I had somthing in the legs to pass some people and I sprinted as hard as I could and was doing 32 mph up the hill and crossed the line about 13th in the group I think with 8 or 9 in the break I think I may have came about 20 somthing, not too bad for the first race of the year.

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Results maybe here

Coventry CC hill climbs

2011-10-18T13:09:00.002+01:00

Sunday was the Coventry CC hill climbs and my last race of the year. The first climb was Burton Dassett the same climb used for the Banbury star hill climb but this course is a bit longer because it takes in the flat bit at the top. I started and felt good and got quite far up the hill still feeling good and knew this was a good time to make it hurt a bit more. As I hit the steep part I was out of the saddle pushing hard and feeling good doing so. As I got over the steep part It was quite flat so I jumped right down the gears and sprinted hard! I think I did a time of 1:47 but not sure. It was then a quick spin to get the legs recovered and to the car.

I got my jacket on quick put the bike away and off to the next climb. At the top of the next climb I had some jaffa cakes and a can of coke and was ready for the next climb.

I had a good warm up and felt good still. Edge hill was next but this course was longer than last weeks because it started further back. Because there was a longer drag at the bottom I started in the big ring and changed down just before the hill kicked up. This week I went a bit harder at the bottom and because of that I had a lower heart rate over the top. As I was going up I was again in the 39x25 like last week but could keep it turning and as I was getting closer to the top I was catching someone and I was pushing hard and felt like I was dieing on the pedals but as it got flat I was so close to the person I was catching and was going to pass him but then he sprinted and eased off and just on the line I got him. I crossed the line in I think 3:45 but not sure, and needed a long recovery ride after.

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Leamington C&AC hill climb

2011-10-09T17:05:00.003+01:00

Today I got up as normal to go out on the club run and got 54 miles in the legs and then I got home and started getting ready for today's hill climb. The climb was Edge hill a climb not too far away but I drove there. I signed on and warmed up and was getting ready for the pain about to come. Soon after starting I felt good but knew it was best not to go to hard at this point, as I climbed it hurt more and more. half way up the hill was loads of MTBers (mostly pushing there bikes up) as I went round them I felt a little happy knowing that it could be harder. As I got up to one of the MTBers I went round him and I looked down and saw he was trying to get on my wheel but could not stay with me. One more left to get and once round him I found it started to hurt more and more and getting near the top I looked down at my garmin to see my heart rate about 193 BPM and once over the top I dropped it down a few gears and sprinted for the line and did a 3:23 and I think about 5 th place. Not a bad effort after a longish ride in the morning.

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Warwickshire RC 2 stage hill climbs

2011-09-25T20:00:00.003+01:00

Photo by Mick Stallard

Today was 2 hill climbs by the Warwickshire Road Club. First was Saintbury hill and after warming pretty well and rolling up and down the road before I had to start, I felt good. On the start line I was ready to go and soon I was off and sat in the saddle trying to power my way up the hill. As I was on the steep part I could see my minute man and I managed to turn the 39x25 over by standing up and powering my way to him and as I got around him the hill started to ease off a bit and I could change up a gear. But then I hit the next steep bit and I was again down to bottom gear but once over that I could see the finish line and I went up a gear or two to dig deep and get to the line, I crossed the line in a time of 7:27. something and was winning for a few mins until lots of people went a bit faster.

After getting back to the HQ and seeing what time I had done and laying down in the boot of the car, it was time to try and get warmed up again ready for the next climb. While warming up I suddenly realised I had not eaten anything since breakfast but then as I got near to the start I forgot about that. On the start line for a second time today I felt good and knew this hill is shorter than the last. I was soon off and once again I was climbing in the saddle with getting out of the saddle to try and use some different muscles and then I managed to get up to my minute man again and go past. But as I climbed I had a song by the Bloodhound gang stuck in my head that I think may have helped me to get up there but as I got near to the top and could hear people cheering I felt I was pushing as hard as I could and once over the line I did 5:02.6 and was very close to being sick at the top of the hill but luckily I was not! I found out I managed to get 4th junior with some prize money, so it was a good day racing.

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results are here

Banbury Star open 25

2011-09-18T13:30:00.002+01:00

Today was the Banbury star 25 mile time trial, and it was a bit cold to start with and when warming up I was still cold. At the start I had a good down hill bit to get up to speed and then a left had turn up a hill soon got me feeling a bit warm and I soon started feeling good and getting comfortable. Before turning left onto the dual carriageway I caught a rider and continued feeling good. Getting to the first roundabout I saw Jon Simpkins Stood on the side of the road who was off 2 mins in front of me, must have been unlucky and had a puncture. As I got to the next roundabout the next rider was in sight and as the road sloped upwards I managed to get closer and closer to him until I went past him. It was then another left and the road went upwards not too hard but I was starting to suffer and going up to a roundabout a lorry overtook me and slowed me down going around the roundabout. Then as I passed the start for my second lap I was feeling good and on the second lap not much happened until the last road towards the finish where I passed another rider and after passing the start again I had a good down hill bit again but as I was getting closer to another rider and a van was behind him and I could not get round the van but he turned off right and I sprinted as hard as I could for the line and did a 59:43 not my fastest but not too bad for the day.

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Stratford CC hill climb

2011-09-08T21:30:00.002+01:00

Tonight I did the Stratford CC hill climb up Saintbury hill. I had a good warm up and was ready to go. I started and felt good, and tried not to go too fast at the bottom like I did last year on loads of hill climbs. I was climbing and feeling good it was steep so I was in bottom gear (39x25) just turning the pedals and was starting to hurt a lot and once I got to the flat bit kept the pedals turning trying to go fast but to get a short rest before it kicked up again. Once the finish line was insight I started sprinting and got to it but once I started slowing down I felt bad. I stopped on the side of the road and felt dizzy it stopped so I turned round but had to stop on the other side and was very close to being sick but I got back on my bike and felt ok and I found out I did a 7:44 a new PB for that hill and I'm very happy with the time.

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BMCC 2up 10 miles TT

2011-09-08T21:03:00.002+01:00

I've only just noticed I forgot to do a blog post about this time trial so here it is. However to start with I would like to start with Monday, and I had planed to go out for a 40 to 50 mile solo ride but after turning on the computer I got distracted. Later that day I went out mounting biking with some mates and found out why I hate it. I crashed going down a steep hill but short hill and now have cuts over my scars from my last crash. A helmet would not have helped because I went shoulder first into the ground and rolled a few time to the bottom and am still finding new cuts and bruises. Tuesday I was planing to go out but was feeling a bit sore from the crash and then Justin messaged me asking if I wanted to do the Bicester Millennium CC 2up and I said yeah!

Me and Justin were ready to start he was held upright and I had to stand behind him, but as we went I got clipped in quickly and we where off. and the first two laps went well with Justin going on the front for the fast bit with a strong tail wind and me taking up the harder bit into the headwind. After two laps a 2up pair caught us and going into the headwind I could see them and felt good I could have pulled them back slowly but I heard Justin shout and I looked round to see him suffering so eased off, I decided to do all the work on the front from there to try and get us the fastest time we could Justin managed to keep on my wheel well and we did a time of 24 something. It was a windy hard night so I think together we did well and being on my no UCI legal setup felt a lot better.

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British Time Trial Championships

2011-09-04T19:27:00.004+01:00

Today was the British time trial Championships and I have been excited about this since entering. When leaving home it was raining but at we got closer and closer to the the course it got better and better! At the headquarters we had to get a bike check by putting the bike in a jig to check everything was within UCI rules. My bike past, but the man checking it did measure my saddle and then said it was all OK, after that it was a gear check to make sure top gear was within 7.93 meters for one pedal turn then off to sign on. As I got on the turbo to warm up I did a few mins and then it started raining only lightly to start with and then after warming up really well I went to the start and felt OK and it rained a bit harder. I started the time trial and felt good and soon got to the first left hand turn and found out that it was into a headwind in parts without trees. After getting to the end and turning left I had a hard cross wind and felt like I was fighting it with my tri spoke getting push constantly into the side of the road. But after turning left it was a good tail wind and into top gear for some of it and then turning left and a junction in a village and down another small road with a few hills to get over. I the turned left yet again to pick the head wind part but this time it was a bit left time into a head wind but still raining and getting harder. I found if I pushed back on the saddle and sat up a bit more I could get a bit more speed and by doing this helped in the cross wind part and I was so glad to get to the last road to head to the finish, this was longer than any other road on the course but with a good tail wind all the way ...and a few rolling hills ...and rain. As I hit the big hill I sat up to get over it and kept it in the big ring and by this point I was wet every where from the rain that just got harder and harder since I started. At the top of the hill there was a house with an exercise bike for sale in the garden, maybe hoping a cyclist would buy it for training ...it made me laugh. After more rain and a hill or two I was caught by a rider who was off after me I got to the turn off for the finish and just sprinted as hard as I could. Once finishing I had to have another gear check and then I got to ride back to the car (still in the rain). My time was 49:58 for 20.9 miles and I think about 14th in the juniors so a good day racing even if it was raining. Henry Latimer also from Zappi did a quick time of 48:57. Alex Dowsett won the men's event and Wendy Houvenaghel won the women's.

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Results are here

Bicester Millenium CC 10 mile time trial

2011-08-31T14:08:00.005+01:00

With the British Time trial championships on Sunday I've had to change my position on the TT bike to get within the rules, and change my saddle to get it 5cm behind to bottom bracket and I can't use my disk because the cassette I have to use (for restricted top gear) will not fit on my disk's free hub. So without further moaning I would like to write about last nights time trial at Weston on the Green RAF thingy place. After warming up on the bike I was still cold and my plan was to finish and get to the car as quick as possible. After starting off I was not too cold by the first bend and once around it I was on a slightly faster and in top gear (53x16) spinning faster than I would like because on faster bits I like a bigger gear a slower cadence unlike on slower bit where I like a lower gear and higher cadence after about a lap I still had to do 3 more. All the laps seemed the same but after much moving on the saddle trying to get in a right place I found myself on the last lap and with no one around I wondered if I had done to many laps but looking at my garmin if I had done too many laps I would have done an 18 min 10 so it must have been right. I was getting closer and closer to the end and I got out of the saddle to sprint but not sure where the line was so kept sprinting and sat down, I soon got to the car and got my warm jacket on. I liked the time trial, being off the roads made me feel like a pro like Blenheim Palace time trial did. As of now I do not know what time I did or anyone else, but I think by the garmin about 24 mins.

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Corley Cycles MKCA summer series race 19

2011-08-26T14:00:00.004+01:00

Last night was the last race in the Corley Cycles series and it was also my Birthday, last night I was using my new mavic shoes and socks for the first time and they where great! The race was round both car park right from the start and the 3/4 race had loads of people in it but soon after starting I thought I was not too far from the front and looked round and found out I was at the back because we had dropped so many people in the first few laps. as the race went on the pace stay high and there was not many points where the race slowed right down and the elites only laps us once. As we got closer and closer to the last few laps I found myself holding a good position near the front and with one lap to go I was about 5th in line and as we hit the bottom of the hill the sprint was on, I managed to sprint for 3rd and then found out someone was on a breakaway so ended up with 4th place. Not too bad and my last 3/4 race, and today my 2nd cat race licence came so this will be my my last 3/4 race for a while.

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2011-08-25T11:18:00.002+01:00

Last night was the Banbury star hill climb and from what I remebered from last year it was painful and hurt a lot! Last year it rained and last night after I got there and got my bike out of the car I didn't have to wait long before there was rain and I was warming up in it, however it soon stopped and I was ready to suffer up the hill. As I was on the start line I pressed start on my garmin and was pushed off as I sprinted I felt good and got most the way up the hill and could not feel a thing and then on the last steep bit it hit me and it hit hard. I changed up a gear and got out of the saddle and tried to just keep the bike moving and I got over the top and still had to do another 10 meters or so to get to the finish line! I got over it and managed to keep the legs turning (my plan being not to be sick at the top) I then stopped on the side of the road and regain composure, I then found out I had done a 1:23 a new PB and junior course record.

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Photos here
Results here

Blenheim Palace time trial

2011-08-21T18:11:00.002+01:00

Today I did the Blenheim Palace time trial and this year it was dry. Only about 13 miles but with quite a lot of climbing from three small hills on each lap and each hill had to be done 3 times! As I was on the start line I knew I had warmed up well and as the time keeper said go I sprinted away and soon got on the aero bars and quickly got to the first bend, it went right and then left and I got round on the aero bars but then came up to another bend and unsure if I could stay on the aero bars round it I sat up and then some nice down hill before it went up the first hill. The first hill was not to bad it was small and I got over it on the aero bars and once over the top a quick down hill bit that would lead to the hardest climb on the course. The second hill was the longest climb it slowed me down alot but I managed to get over it in the big ring every time. The last hill is a small but bit steep one that you can power up and not lose too much speed. And then flat to the finish line and then only two laps left. I got to the bend I was unsure about and round on the aero bars. After getting round another lap I still felt good and on the last lap went harder down the hills than the last times and getting near the end Rob Yeatman pasted me but did not get too far ahead and once on a flat part I stated to past him and as I got level with him, he just went up the gears and went a bit faster and I could not. Once across the line I did a time of 30:39 (course PB) and got 3rd junior.

I then got to stand on the podium with Rob Yeatman who won it and Edward Clemens who was 2nd.

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Results are here

Corley Cycles MKCA summer series race 18

2011-08-19T11:02:00.003+01:00

Last night was Milton Keynes Bowl and with the rain it was just the inside loop because it was wet and raining - the best way to race. The race, elites started a lap down and when they lapped us it was one race with two results. Tonight I had a plan to sit in and sprint, and soon after starting I had to tell myself to just sit back and take it easy. After about half an hour the elites were with us and it speeded up quite nicely I managed to keep myself out of trouble and as the laps started counting down I started to feel good. I remembered what I was told and I got near the front and got pushed back a bit but as I went past with one lap to go I was a little boxed in but got out and moved round the outside of the group with half a lap to go and got about 3rd or 4th wheel and as the front rideres started to sprint hard I also sprinted hard too and on the way up the hill I was winning the 3rd/4th cat race and as I got over the line rased my right arm in the air and shouted "YES!" only to see another green number rider (from my race) right by me look round and then I said "dam!". I thought I had won it but I only needed one point and I got that last point to move up to a 2nd cat so it was a good night on the bike.

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Banbury Star 2 up 13

2011-08-18T10:47:00.004+01:00

Last night was the 2 up and my partner was Justin Belcher because he's a strong rider and after winning the last two 2 ups we were looking to add to that record. There was a small cock up at the start but soon after that I got us up to speed and soon had an average speed of 25 mph and after a few miles on the front I let Justin do some work to till the next hill and I took over again. We worked well together and because of that we felt like all the time was fast. Once we got to the last road I had a feeling it was going to be a head wind home. It was but as we hit the fast bit Justin got the speed high and soon we were going 34 mph on the flat and the average speed was going up, slowly but still up! As we got to the last down hill bit I pulled over for Justin to fly down the hill and he did as we hit the up hill we got to the first bend and I got on the front again to pace us home and once over the hill I put it in a big gear and pushed hard and we crossed the line in 28:36 a very fast time and we were winning for about a minute until some faster guys came in. Average speed was 26.5 and the time was much faster than what we could do on our own so it was a good night.

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results are here

Ludgershall Summer Series 12

2011-08-16T10:14:00.003+01:00

To start with, I would like to say I punctured my front tyre at Milton Keynes bowl on Thursday. And yesterday morning I got my points for the "No Frills" races I did a few weeks ago and am now only one point away from being a 2nd cat. Last night I raced at Ludgershall well when I say raced it was more like just rode round. It started raining as we were on our way to the race and by the time it started it was very wet and still raining, my mum went to the finish line with spare wheels because in every crit I've ever done wheel changing area is by the finish line and at no point did anyone tell us any different. On the start line they said you were aloud a lap out with up to five laps to go, and soon after that we where off. After about 10 mins I got a puncture on the back wheel and managed to get round the track to my mum get a spare wheel jump back in next lap. A lap or two later I was informed by my mother to "not bother" and the next time by I found out I was a lap down so after trying to breakaway no one would let me go and I gave up. I just gave up after that and and by the time it was the sprint and got round the final bend and went to sprint but then pondered what's the point so did not bother. I may have done crap thanks to them but Andy McKay the other Zappi rider got 3rd place.

I would assume there would have been less punctures riding over something like broken glass. I don't think I'll ever race there again, I'll stick to the friendly people at good old Milton Keynes bowl.

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Corley cycles summer series race 17

2011-08-12T12:51:00.002+01:00

Last night I did Milton Keynes again trying to get the 3 last points I need. The race was half on the inside and half doing an extra bit as normal, after a few attacks I could not get away and no one else could stay away as well. We soon started going though the extra bit and because I was at the back trying to recover from attacking I was a bit far down and after going round the bends the group split and I managed to get up to the front group and riders got drop and back on and more got dropped and while I was feeling good an attack went and a few riders got away. The laps soon counted down and with one lap to go the bunch got a bit nervous and one rider in front of me tried to move up and got a little push and wobbled quite abit. As we went round the last corner the rider in front of me cut me up and then did lead me out but in the sprint I got boxed in and could not go any where so just had to cross the line in that place.

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Results are here

Banbury star 13

2011-08-11T12:08:00.002+01:00

Last night I did the Banbury star 13 mile time trial and it was very windy out there and at no point was there a tail wind! After a good warm up I was ready to start and once I did I found myself getting into a good pace and soon caught my minute man (my dad). I felt like it was not that fast but into the headwind a slower parts like I was handling it better than I have done. After getting though all the slow parts the last road was downhill but with a cross wind so not super fast but not too bad. Up the last hill I could see some one ahead of me, I tried to get closer to him but could not do it and as I crossed the line I did a 29:37 not too far off my PB so another good night time trialing.

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results are here

Corley Cycles MKCA summer series race 16

2011-08-05T15:57:00.003+01:00

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl and still trying to pick up the last few points to get to 2nd cat. After finding out that we were just going to race on the inside because its been a bit wet we where ready to race, there was five Zappi's riding the 3/4 cat race and with every attack me, Chris Boote, Mike Betts, Andy McKay or Mick Murphy where out trying to get away. The racing was full of attacks and most came back one even had four zappi riders pushing the pace. After a while Mick got away with two other riders and would have stayed away if he had not punctured and shortly after that the two still on a breakaway sat up and then we where all back together. With about 3 laps to go someone attacked and got away and ended up winning it. As for the sprint four zappi riders in the top ten! Not bad,I got 9th and getting closer to my 2nd cat licence, but alas 2nd cat still eludes me...

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Results are here

Banbury star 10

2011-08-04T10:24:00.003+01:00

Last night I did the Banbury Star 10 miles time trial on the course that everyone hates ...apart from me. This week there were temporary traffic lights on the course and we could still race if we did not jump the lights or pass waiting cars. After starting I felt good and was soon on the down hill bit and as the road flattened out my speed was still high, but as I got to the temporary traffic lights they were on red but luckily no cars where in front of me and with my plan of getting to the quickly and stopping late to get a little bit more rest time, then after what seemed a long wait they changed to green and me and the other rider Marcus who I was catching got going again. After that I was a bit annoyed about that but I then got back to TT pace and caught another rider and by the time I was at the roundabout to turn round I was catching another rider. On the return I passed him and as I was heading back felt like I was making good time. I got over the small lump in the road and could see the temporary traffic lights again and on red with cars waiting but then they changed! And just as I got about level with them the changed to orange but I got past and with one hill to get over was feeling good. I got up the hill but just as I went to change into the big ring again I dropped my chain much like last time I road this course but after removing the pin between the chainring and crank arm I managed to get the chain back on with out stopping. I then was on the fast bit towards the finish and with one rider left to pass I nearly was the first to finish but I posted the fastest time was winning for a while until Luke Souter came back 21 seconds faster than me. My time was 23:49 faster than I thought and I was only 23 seconds off my PB so not bad for that night.

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2 races, one day and painful legs

2011-07-31T16:51:00.003+01:00

Today's blog post is a three in one!! Today we raced at Tudor Grange Park in Solihull and there was a 4th cat race a 3rd cat race and an elite/1st/2nd/3rd cat race. The 4th cat race (40 mins + 10 laps) saw three Banbury star riders doing there first race ever, Dave Anson, Roger Foster (my dad) and Tim Hiscocks. This is the first 4th cat race I've watched for a while but compared to the last one I saw this was a lot faster, and being there first the did a good performance unfortunately getting dropped but there was quite a few people who looked strong and could have been 3rd cats. The race did have a crash with a few laps to go and in the end Stratford CC rider Mike won and has now move up to 3rd cat.

The 3rd cat race saw me and Mike Betts from Zappi trying to pick up a few points, this is the first time I raced here in about 2 years and it was less hilly than I remembered and with the big sweeping bend it was lots of fun. After many people tried attacking including me, breakaways where not staying away so I was just going to try and get ready for the sprint and by the time it was the last lap I was ready and legs felt good. As we went round the last bend I was in the top gear 52X14 and sat in the saddle and sprinted as fast as I could. I managed to just pass Mike and I think I got about 9th place but not sure about that, another point to add to the collection.

The race 50 mins +10 laps
Time 01:02:57
distance 26.06
Avg speed 24.9
Max speed 34.1

After quickly stopping changing number and drinking a can of coke I soon found myself on the start line for the elite race. I was at the front and still only just recovering from a sprint in the last race. This race was just go, there was no neutral lap like the last race and the pace went up fast but even though the cornering was faster it was strung out in one line and it was not too bad, I loved it and I kept looking at the time and saying to myself if I can just stay here for 5 more minutes I'll be happy. I spent most the race trying to hold wheels and keep with the main group a breakaway did get away and lap us then another breakaway got away and I was trying to work out how many people were out in front but gave up. Once I got to ten laps to go I kept telling myself hold on for another lap and we got to the last lap and I was still there and I had to just keep myself there and I will have done well. I crossed the line about two or three bike lengths off the back and was not sure how I had done but needed a drink more because half way though the race I finished my water bottle. It turns out I got about 15th and if so that means another point. A lot better than I thought I could do and getting a bit closer to my 2nd cat licence.

The race 1 hour +10 laps
Time 01:11:17
distance 30.57
Avg speed 25.8
Max speed 33.0

Thanks for reading

Corley Cycles MKCA summer series race 15

2011-07-28T21:59:00.002+01:00

Tonight I raced at Milton Keynes as normal, and it was the normal 30 mins inside and 30 mins on the extra loop. After starting I felt ok and tried a few attacks and on one a squirrel ran across the track. We then got pulled back because no one was getting away. After trying to sit in and recover we then had to do the extra bit so I moved up to the front to get out of any crashes luckily there was none. After a few laps with the pace going up and down I tried to stay near the front and with the last few laps getting closer and closer I could not move up and I ended up a bunch sprint with a zappi rider Chris Boote winning we think. He did look strong during the race. I was sprinting for about 15th place, not what I hoped for but still not bad.

Thanks for reading

Banbury star 13 incorporating the midlands women series

2011-07-27T22:04:00.003+01:00

Today was the Banbury star 13 mile time trial again, however with this one being part of the women's Midlands series it was a bit like riding an open because there was a hall and how organized it was. I started and it took a few minutes to get into time trial pace but once I did I felt like it was a bit slow, although I could see my minute man (my dad) I then spent the next few miles trying to catch him and once I did ended going up the inside. After getting to the next road I felt good and was on target to PB but when going down the next road there was no tail wind so I did not make up as much time as I have done. Jon Simpkins also passed me on the last road and just went flying donw the road and by the time the road started bending a bit I never saw him again! After going down the last hill as fast as I could I then had to get up the last hill and I did and as I sprinted for the line in the saddle Luke Souter came past me just on the line to be one minute ahead of me. My time was 29:38 not my fastest but not too bad for what felt like a hard night.

As for the women series bit well that was won by Banbury stars rider Suzy Patience In a time of 31:44 to break the woman's record ...again and get a shiny medal.

Thanks for reading
Result are here

corley cycles MKCA summer series race 14

2011-07-22T12:49:00.004+01:00

Last night I raced at Milton keynes bowl again and this week was just on the inside because it was a bit wet and they did not have enough marshals. After starting we had quite a quick race and average 25.2 mph, soon there was attacks I even tried a few but no one was getting away. as we got closer to five laps to go I was feeling good for a sprint and with one lap to go I moved up and then started chasing a group that got away and once I got the I eased off and quite a few people came around me and so I had to sprint from quite far back again but still got 10th and that means another point. And after two bad rides in time trials within a few days of each other I was quite happy to have a good ride again.

Results are here

After last night good ride, I looked at the results today and now that they have posted this weeks and last weeks points from racing on at the bowl I got another two points and am now some how at the top of the central regional rankings with two other riders and we are all joint 1st.

Thanks for reading

Banbury star 10

2011-07-21T12:32:00.003+01:00

Last night I rode the Banbury star 10 and after Sunday I did a long warm up to make sure I was ready and after starting I felt good and I even made it to the turn in a good time (under 12 mins). I was feeling good and was going well all the way to the last hill then once I got to the top of it I then dropped my chain but not on the inside, as I changed to the big ring the chain went to far over and as I tried to move the front mech over to get it back on, the chain got jammed behind the pin that stops the chain going down between the crank and chain ring. After trying to get it on I had to stop and do it, after getting covered in oil I then had to ride back to the finish but did not push it like I normally would. My time was a 24:29 a lot slower than I would have liked and I do have a idea of how much time I lost but still annoyed about it. Shaun Mullins on his new machine, a Cannondale managed a time of 29:12 ...he asked for me to mention him...

Thanks for reading
results are here

Midlands DC champs 10 mile TT

2011-07-18T10:47:00.003+01:00

Yesterday I raced in the Midlands DC champs (10 miles on the K33/10D), I felt good but as soon as I started I found out I had not warmed up enough because as I hit the first hill my chest hurt a lot this with the wrong front wheel the blew me all over the road was turning out to be a bad day. Also when my heart rate got to TT effort it hurt more than normal and after completing a very painful time trial that my chest hurt and legs did not feel a thing I was disappointed. I tried not to feel to disappointed till I had seen the results but after seeing the results I was more disappointed with only doing a 23 minutes dead on a slow day and not reaching my goals. The event was well marshalled and I got a bronze medal for 3rd fastest 17 year old.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

corley cycles MKCA summer series race 13

2011-07-15T11:47:00.002+01:00

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl and when warming up we found out that the route was different to before instead of going straight though the back we where sent left and around the edge to make it a bit different. Then after that we where sent left thought some gates and straight down to a right hand bend and picked up a route we have done before. We where told on the start line it was half inside and half outside as normal and as we started the pace was not too high bet a bit quick and it got faster and faster I saw the average speed up to 25.5 mph while we where on the inside. After about half an hour of racing they opened up the extra bit and on the first lap of riding it there was a crash, I saw someone riding down the out side and just heard him go down luckily I was not near it so I got away OK. However on the next bend I was following someone who got half way round the bend and then went straight and all I could do was go straight and try and stop before going into the hedge, while this was happening I think heard crash behind me. As I got going again the group split up quite a bit and so I had to get back on and the try and move up. After this there was no more crashes. Thus we get to 5 laps to go and I was still in the group feeling good like I had a good sprint in me and I was holding a good position near the front but with a lap to go I got boxed in as people moved up, so when I hit the bottom of the hill I was quite far back but I started sprinting and held a fast pace up the hill and passed loads of people and I think crossed the line about 7th and with a breakaway of 2 up the road I think I was 9th but will have to wait and see, but another good night racing and slowly chipping away at my 2nd cat licence.

Thanks fore reading

Banbury star 13

2011-07-13T21:33:00.003+01:00

Today was the Banbury star 13 mile time trial and with normal conditions it was going to be good. After I had started I got a few miles up the road (if that) and a cop car stop in the junction on the right and waited and after a car had overtaken me he then pulled out and I ended up about a bike length off his back and if I had done that to him I would have got in trouble for that! Bit annoying but it could have been worst. After getting onto the next road I started seeing quite a few people ahead and one by one I started passing them and by the time I was at the end of that road I was feeling good and got to the last road quickly I felt good like I was going to do a good time. The last road felt quick all the way and once I got to the final hill I though I was going to PB because my average speed was higher than the last time I rode that course but as I climbed it dropped to about the same as last time and as I sprinted for the line I did a time of 29:29 7 seconds off my PB on what I think was a slower night, its looking good for my target events later in the year.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Oakley Village road race

2011-07-09T19:29:00.004+01:00

Photo by Steve Avery

Today I raced in the Oakley Village road race a 2nd, 3rd and 4th cat race so the speed was going to be high over the 52 mile (6 lap) race. Thus after getting there a bit early it rained very hard but with a hour and a half till the race it dried up quickly. We all meet in a side road to be told the DOs and DON'Ts for the race and then we started but stopped on the finish line and then started the race soon after. After the first bend there was a few cars parked on the side and everyone slowed down and as we slowed I felt someone hit my back wheel but I did not hear anyone go down. Soon into the race the pace was high and after a few laps I moved up and sat behind Rob Yeatman from Team Jewson and he attacked and I went with him and we where going fast and I did a turn on the front as we chased the break and as I pulled off the front more and more people started to sit behind us so that was that breakaway over. After sitting in to recover we had about 2 laps left and a breakaway went and stayed away with a Zappi rider Roger Prior (who took 4th). On the last lap me and Rob Yeatman moved up to the front and as the bunch got ready for a sprint finish the bunch got a bit scrappy as I sat in the middle and people came around me from both sides! I managed to stay near to the front and as we entered Oakley heading for the finish line the speed was high and getting higher and going for the line I was sat in the saddle sprinting and passed some riders and got over the line but unsure of my position but I'm happy with that it was good training.

Race stats
Avg. speed 25.5 mph
Max speed 36.3 mph
Time 02:04:33
Distance 52.83 miles

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Corley cycles MKCA summer series race 12

2011-07-08T12:21:00.002+01:00

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl the first time after a few weeks of not going there. Last night was one big loop from the start with a nice head wind towards the finish line. After a few laps going around the bend in the picture above there was a crash behind me I not sure what happened but I just heard someone going down. After that the race did settle down a bit until the elites came past us and then the pace jumped up a bit but not for long. Getting towards the end and I was starting to feel a bit tired but on the last lap someone attacked and I went after him but the whole bunch sat on my wheel and then up the hill everyone started sprinting and we still had one bend to get round and I thought they where going a bit soon and once we got around that bend it was into the head wind again and then the sprint for the line just went and I managed to just hang on for 9th place I think, not bad after all I was not feeling great but another fun night racing.

Thanks for reading

Banbury star 25

2011-07-07T11:01:00.002+01:00

Last night was the 25 again and after a ride in the morning I felt good I even felt good riding to the start with a strong crosswind that would be there to slow everyone down. I was trying out my new visor tonight as well and it felt a bit like riding without sunglasses (because its clear) and without my eyes watering so it was great. Thus brings us to the time trial and after starting I could feel the cross wind in some places that where open but after a few miles when we turn around it was a cross wind that helped until the next turn around where it was then a head wind back to the finish. On the return it was again hard and in some place it was a head wind but once getting up the last hill I then got hit by a headwind and just tried to keep going and got to the finish in a time of 1 hour and 12 seconds not a PB but not too bad for a hard night. After the time trial had finished Me and Suzy Patience went over to see a horse that was watching the time trial from his field (I was asked to add that bit).

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Leisure Lakes Circuit Series 2

2011-07-02T11:55:00.005+01:00

Last night I raced at Leisure Lakes Circuit series race 2 of 2 and it was hard! It was the normal hour plus 5 laps and I was with 2nd cats and there was a short steep hill in it that we went up 37 times. While on the start line they called out every ones names and number while each rider raised there hand, then soon after all 38 of us started and because it was a hill start every one got very tight and I bump shoulders with someone as we tried to get clipped in. However soon after we got sprinting off and the group strung out a bit. After a few laps it started to get less hard but then someone crashed as we was going up the hill and I went off course a bit and headed for my mum (not the first time I've rode at her after a crash) and then there was some more laps some harder than others. Getting towards the end there was 3 of us and a small split happened and we started chasing but at we got to the worst corner on the course the guy leading us round went to fast and ended up hitting the ground and I ran off on to the grass to avoid him and lost more time to the main group so over the next lap I got going and caught them back up just before we hit the hill again. As the end got closer and closer I was starting to get more and more cramp when I got out of the saddle to get up the hill but as we got to one lap to go I held on to the back and as they sprinted and I sprinted too but lost a few bike lengths to the group but I think I finished about 15th. After I stopped at the top of the hill I was in so much pain from the cramp and I felt a bit sick and my head hurt but it was a good night racing.

Race stats
37 laps
Avg. speed 22.7 mph
2,678 ft of climbing
Time racing 1:12:10

Thanks for reading

Banbury star 13 with a PB again

2011-06-30T12:52:00.004+01:00

Last night was the 13 course again the first time in quite a while and I was 3rd from last off and I had Jon Simpkins chasing me. After starting off I felt good and was going well up the first road and then along the next road I was thinking get to the end before Jon passes me but not long after thinking that he came flying past me, but it was not to long before the road goes uphill and I was slowly pulling him back but then he pulled away and I had to do the same for the next hill but after getting to the top he just went and I could not keep pace with him. As I was getting closer to the last road the fun one that normally has a tail wind I was stating to feel happy because it would be fast all the way back and it was. the last road felt like it was over very quick and I got to the last hill and got over it and then I crossed the line. Thus setting a new PB and junior course record with a time of 29:22.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Newbury RC 10

2011-06-26T11:26:00.002+01:00

Yesterday was a ten mile time trial on the H10/181, and with a strong head wind on the way out it was going to be hard. After I started I could feel the head wind slowing me sown a lot and I had to keep telling myself it was the same for everyone. By the time I got to the end I caught my minute man and got round the roundabout safely and as I returned I felt my speed picking up and getting faster and faster until I was in the 53x12 (almost top gear) and with a few time getting in to the 11 tooth! It was fun but was over very quickly and I got to the line in a time off 22:41 and it was the fastest time for a few minutes until a faster guy did a quicker time.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Ben Owen 10

2011-06-24T16:26:00.003+01:00

Last night was the Ben Owen interclub 10 mile time trial it was a lot like an open with a results board and and a HQ. But When I got on the bike last night my legs were OK but after I started the time trial I could not get my heart rate as high as it should have. Although I still passed three people. after finishing I found out I did a time of 23:31 not too bad on what seem like a hard night. As for winning the interclub, we didn't but it was a fun night on a different course.

Thanks for reading
Will post results when I find them

Warwick and back time trial

2011-06-23T15:51:00.003+01:00

Last night was the warwick and back 30 mile time trial. I never know what to write in a blog post about time trials. As I was on the start line I felt good and I was sure of that when I passed my minute man (my dad) about 5 miles into it. Behind me was some fast testers (Jon Simpkins and Luke Souter) chasing me. it was not long before Jon over took me and that was not a surprise. By the time I got out to the turn I set myself a goal to try and catch ever in front of me, only 10 people how hard could it be? As I was returning it was mostly up hill from the turn, and I still kept going and felt good. With two hills left I had caught every one in front of me and the only person ahead of me was Jon or so I thought, as it turns out he went the wrong way at the roundabout because he beat the marshal there and continued to do the old course so I ended up being first back and wining it by a second and a junior course record and I am very happy with that.

Some stats
Max speed 50.3mph
Average speed 24.7mph

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Corley cycles summer series 9

2011-06-17T13:04:00.003+01:00

Breakaway! After passing the elites race

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl it was half on the inside and half on the extra as normal. After we did half a lap I attacked and no one went with me so I kept going and did a few laps on my own and caught the elites race and passed it, and just as I got past them they sped up and left me so I kept my own pace and felt good. Soon after another rider caught me and we worked well together for a few more laps catching the elites and then getting dropped by them a few times until he dropped off. Then I was left on my own and I think the bunch started attacking when the saw my breakaway partner dropping off. After a few laps on my own two riders, Chris Dredge (Team Milton Keynes) and Mike Betts (team Zappi) bridged the gap to me and we worked well together and one last rider Will Jenkins (team Synergy) made it up to us and we pulled out a good lead. Thus brings us to the point I started suffering and after a few bad laps I then got better again and towards the end felt like I was not fatiguing to much. As the laps counted down I hung in there and then with about half a lap to go I felt good again but when it came to the sprint I could not go with Chris and Will so just kept my speed up to roll over 3rd. As a team we had a good night, me 3rd, Mike Betts 4th and Henry Latimer powered to win the bunch sprint and get 5th pace.

Me, Chris and Mike working together

All four in the break

Thanks for reading
Will post results soon

Banbury Star 10

2011-06-16T14:33:00.003+01:00

Last night was Banbury star CC 10 again, but this week was wet and with a strong head wind on the way back that did not help on the way out. After staring I quickly caught my minute man Tom Spijkers, he used to be my maths teacher a few years ago. On the way out I caught a few people and not much happened then I got to the turn and started heading back into a head wind and by the time I got to the last hill I was suffering a bit but got up it slowly and once over the top I pushed as hard as possible to get to the finish. I crossed the line in a time of 23:55, not too bad but my legs felt better after the time trial than before and that is annoying me a bit.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Corley cycles summer series 8

2011-06-10T21:31:00.003+01:00

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl and right from the start it was fast! The pace got hammered right from the start and after the first lap the bunch was strung out. After about half the race a few of us managed to get away from the main bunch and took turns at the front and we lapped loads of riders but when we got to the last lap I did not have it in the legs to sprint so I came in in 7th after my first ever successful breakaway. I'm happy with that, a few more points.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Banbury Star 25 again

2011-06-09T14:39:00.003+01:00

Last night was the Banbury Star 25 mile time trial again and this this time there was more of a cross wind than last time and it did not feel like it helped that much. After starting I felt good and felt quick but once getting to the turn at the second roundabout it was all up hill again until I passed the start then there was a nice descent to get the speed up. I was getting near to the next turn around point and had a good idea to eat an energy gel on the down hill bit unlike last where I had it going up the hill. After tuning round I saw the fast guys, Luke Souter and Jon Simpkins coming towards me very quickly and after that my goal was to get to the finish before them. Coming up the last hill a short 10% climb I just sat on the aero bars and passed my dad (the same place as last time) and went passed him feeling very happy. I then got to the finish line in a time of 58:55 a new PB, reached my goal and 2nd place! The Handicap part was won by Suzy Patience who also did a quick time of 01:06:53 for her first 25 mile time trial.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

National 25 mile time trial

2011-06-06T18:26:00.003+01:00

On the start ramp

Yesterday was the national 25 mile time trial championships down in Devon. The course was great because it started in a town centre and had closed roads for about half a mile before joining a main road out to the roundabout. At the start there was a start ramp, a crowd and even a jazz band, when I started I was on top of the ramp and when the time keeper said go I sprinted as fast as I could to the end and on the aero bar thought the first bend. On the descent thought the town I hit 40 mph in the 30 zone and sat up to slow down to get around the bend at the bottom. Once on the main road it was out to the roundabout turn around and head back. On the way out I passed the finish on the right and the road was up and down a lot and I don't think any of it was flat and it even rained in one bit in the middle. Once I got to the roundabout to turn around I got held up a bit by a car but got round the roundabout and got going again, it then seem very hard on the way back. On the way back I got to the bit where it had been raining and the road was very wet and I had to go down a hill with a few bends at the bottom with it very wet so I took it easy round the bends and after about a mile it was dry again. By the time I got to the finish I was glad to get there and I crossed the line in a time of 01:02:44 as it turns out it was a very slow course with the hills and so I don't think that was too bad and only and 1 min 46 off my team mate Henry Latimer.

Results for my race are here

The winner was Ryan Mullen in the junior and in the men Dr. Hutch won in 53:36 and Julia Shaw won in a time of 59:20 with another team mate Chrissy Radon second.

Results: Men Women

There is a video here of most people in the race, I'm in it at 5:10

Thanks for reading

BSCC and A5 rangers interclub 10 mile TT

2011-06-02T11:19:00.003+01:00

Last night was an interclub between Banbury star CC and the A5 rangers, this year it was on there course again. This looked like it was going to be a fast course however the headwind on the way out mad it very hard. As I was on the start line I think the pusher-offer was showing off by holding me up with one finger on my saddle (I think I need to put on some more weight), After I started I felt good on the nice smooth tarmac but once I got to the first round about I slowed down a lot into the headwind but I did not go wrong this time like two years ago when I first rode the course. The head wind was hard all the way out but because it was not super strong I did not find out till I turned around and started flying back. And once I got to the short dual carriageway bit it was smooth tarmac and a tail wind, if only it was like that for 10 miles. I finished in a time of 23:02 not too bad of a time I think.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Corley cycles MKCA summer series race 6

2011-05-27T15:21:00.004+01:00

Last night was Milton keynes bowl and this time it was wet for a change. We did 50 mins plus 5 laps and in that we did 25 mins on the inner loop and then about 15 mins on an extra loop before returning into the inner loop. It was a strong headwind when going down then hill but I think it may have helped somewhere else on the circuit. The pace was not to high after we started and we even kept the elites in sight for a while. However after a while the pace picked up and got faster. It was then time to go out and do the extra loop and a break away was away, and we got round all the bends safely even though one was a bit greasy and we shortly after caught the breakaway. And while we went back to riding on the inner loop another breakaway went and I found myself chasing it with 3 riders behind chasing me and they caught me so then we tried to catch the front 2 but we did not get more than just seeing them. And as we got ready for our sprint someone kicked and I got on his wheel and then thought maybe I could pass him and on the line it was very close to who got 3rd but in the end it turns out I was 4th, I'm still very happy with that.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

BSCC 25

2011-05-26T15:43:00.008+01:00

Last night was the Banbury star 25 mile time trial, my first 25 of the year. And after not feeling good leading up to it I was unsure how I was going to preform. I warmed up and was ready to start and soon as I started I went off and felt not too bad but it was down hill, with a bit of a head wind. I got to the second roundabout and glided around fine and then was unsure if it was going to be fast out to the next roundabouts because it was very up and down but there was a tail wind most the way. After passing the starting point there was a nice hill and I was trying to get as much speed down it as possible and then keep it going at the bottom. I spent the fast part trying to get to the roundabout but once there and coming back it was uphill. and by this point I was just hoping for a down hill bit to make some speed up. A few miles from the end Jon Simpkins passed me and after catching a lot of people I did not mind too much. And going up the last hill I caught my dad and closed the gap on Jon a little bit but then over the top he flew off and made up more time on me. I got to the village at the end I went around a bend and got cramp in my right calf muscle and then just rolled around the last bend and over the line quite a bit slower than I wanted to. My time was 59:12 and was my first sub hour ever so I'm very happy with that time.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Sri Chinmoy CT 10 on the H10/181

2011-05-22T13:11:00.002+01:00

Warming up

Today was the H10/181 course again and when warming up I found out that it was going to be a cross/head wind on the way out and tail wind on the way back. This is not good because its a mile longer out than back. I just got going and kept pushing it all the way out and it felt like it took along time to get to the turn around point with the speed dropping a lot. After getting to the roundabout it was then fast all the way back and I think most of the return was way over 30mph and when sprinting for the line in the saddle I hit a top speed of 39.2 mph, and to do a time of 23:03 a bit slow but it was a very windy and hard on the way out. Jon Simpkins won it with a mid 20.

I found out that I was first junior and got a very nice medal and a box of energy gels in my favourite flavour summer fruits.

My prizes

Thanks for reading

corley cycles MKCA summer series 5

2011-05-20T15:54:00.007+01:00

Trying to get away

Last night was Milton Keynes bowl again and it was the normal half on the inside half on the extra bit. And it was fast! After we started we did a few laps and I tried to break away but the first break did not go but the second time went well because there was three of us and we where pulling out a lead but when the elites lapped us the bunch chased us down. Not much happened for the rest of the race till the last 5 laps, after going around the bend onto the bowl a big crash took a few riders down and I ended up going onto the grass. The pace started speeding up a lot towards the end and this was good but on the last lap on the back straight a lot of moving about ended with a few more riders hitting the ground very hard. I got past the crash ok and then got ready for the sprint to take 8th place and 4th for Justin Belcher who beat me yet again.

Thanks for reading
Results here

BSCC 13

2011-05-18T21:17:00.004+01:00

Sunglasses that match the bike

Tonight was the Banbury Star 13 again, it was hard every where except the last road. As soon as I started it felt a bit like a cross head wind and that was hard but then the next road was a head wind and that was even harder! The second road also had some gravel on it near the end. As I went down a small hill and the road started going up again there was the gravel and it all felt lose so I sat up and got over that bit safely and around the bend at the top of the hill very carefully and still felt the wheels slip a bit. Looking back it was a bit like stage five of the giro this year when they went over the "Strade Bianche". The next road still felt hard but after catching a rider near the end I was glad to see the last road because I knew it was going to be fast. Going down the last road about 6 miles long and I did it in 12 minutes and 12 seconds (avg. 29 mph) and it did feel fast all the way down there and on the last descent I hit a top speed of 46.1 mph and finished in a time of 29:37 (2nd) 1 second off my PB and 38 seconds off the winner Luke Souter Who is just too fast.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Reading CC Road Race

2011-05-15T15:51:00.005+01:00

Today was a 62 mile road race with 2nd cats and it was fast and painful. The race start and took off very fast and as soon as we got to the descent I was behind someone who slowed down too much for a corner and people just came past us so I got past him and went as hard as possible to make up the gap. The first lap we averaged 26 mph and as the race went on the speed stayed high. There was a few near misses but luckily no crashes. The last lap seemed to ease off a bit and in the sprint I saw people who tried but I think their legs must have gave out! There was quite a few people bunched together on the left and I was catching them, I got around them and just went kept sprinting to try and pass as many people as possible and I think in the end I got 22nd but not sure yet.

Average race speed 25.7 mph (Fast!)
Max. race speed 38.4
Calories burnt 3,111

Thanks for reading
Results here

Corley cycles summer series race 4

2011-05-13T17:38:00.003+01:00

Last night I raced at Milton keynes bowl again and not long into the race and I tried to attack but it did not last for long. A little later into the race and someone attacked and I jumped on his wheel and we got away until the bottom of the hill and the bunch got close behind us and so I attacked again and stayed away for over a lap and my team mate Henry got away with another rider a girl form motorpoint marshalls pasta team and caught me up so I jumped on the back and we where working well together and got a good lead but we got caught by the elites and I think that when they past the bunch chasing us they sped up a bit and then we sat in the bunch to try and recover. By this time we where going around the extra loop at the bottom of the bowl. After sitting in the bunch it was time for the sprint and I was in an ok place but bit far back and ended up with 10th place, not bad, so it means I get one point. Justin Belcher from Banbury star had another good week getting 5th place.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Banbury Star Athletes 13

2011-05-11T21:54:00.000+01:00

Tonight was the Athletes 13 it was the same course as most weeks apart from the fact most people where on road bikes. And as soon as I got there it was pointed out that my wheels where aero but it was a good job I did not have one of these as well, or else I would have been in trouble! As I started I felt ok but I soon found out that its hard trying to get an aero position on a road bike with out my arms hurting, maybe because there as thin as pipe cleaners. I was Lucky to catch 3 riders and no one came past me. Down the last road I was finding it hard to stay aero because my arms kept hurting but I was soon getting to the last hill and going down there was slower than normal but I still hit 41.3 mph. Going up the last hill felt not too bad but I then had to push hard for the finish and that also hurt. I got to the finish in a time of 31:38 just over 2 mins slower than my PB but not too bad for a road bike, Martin Hall also did a good ride and did a PB getting into the 35 mins. Also I don't think the heart rate monitor was working tonight because the garmin said average heart rate was 219 BPM and in the 230s for most of it ...Not sure that's right some how.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Mk bowl - North Bucks Circuit race

2011-05-07T17:18:00.003+01:00

Today I raced at Milton Keynes bowl again and after finding out about this race last night I thought it would be a good idea to do it. The website said a 12:00 start, so we got there just over an hour early and found out that the race was at 1:30 so we had to wait around for 2 and a half hours. However the race was good, it was the standard hour plus 5 laps on the inside and as soon as we started we had attacks. I kept trying to get away and jump on to breakaways going but nothing stayed away. I even when away for about a lap and a half caught and passed the guy in the lead but then someone jumped across to my wheel and would not help me so that breakaway failed or else I would have kept going. I did try getting away a few times but the bunch did not want to let anyone go. After sitting in the bunch and getting nearer towards the end I was starting to recover from attacking and was getting ready for the sprint. When sprinting for the line I was keeping myself on a wheel and just went as hard as I could and in my top gear (52x14) I was strating to spin a bit more than I would have liked but managed to get a top 10 placing not sure yet.

Thanks for reading
Will post results soon when I find them

Milton Keynes bowl again

2011-05-06T15:55:00.002+01:00

An unsuccessful breakaway

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes Bowl again and it was a nice night for it again. The race started slow and stayed slow for the whole race, we only averaged 24.6 mph. Not much happened in the race we got lapped by the elites many times. when we got to 4 laps to go Justin Belcher from Banbury star broke away and managed to stay away until the end to get 2nd place. I however just was waiting till the sprint and then did not even get top 10 so I must try harder next week.

Thanks for reading

Banbury Star 10

2011-05-04T21:29:00.002+01:00

Warm enough for arm-warmers but not gloves...

Tonight was the Banbury Star CC 10 mile time trial on that course that everyone hates ...although I do like that course. It felt like a fast night when warming up but once I started and got going it felt like I got to the turn around point very fast even with that bit being the slower part of the course. After taking the roundabout quickly I looked down to see the average speed and was surprised! On the way back I was just going over the small hill in the middle and was starting to get a lot of sticky saliva in my mouth so I turned my head side ways and tried to spit it out but it did not go very far (all down my face) and so I tried to wipe it off but ended up just getting it all up my arm-warmer, not good. Any way I then hit the last hill a nice 10% climb and over that in the saddle and then a bit of a dip and then more uphill. After dragging myself over this last hill it was all flat/slightly down hill towards the finish and at the point I was pushing as hard as possible towards the finish. I did a time of 23:23 a PB and 2nd fastest.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

H10/181 VTTA 10

2011-05-02T11:04:00.002+01:00

Warming up

Today was a 10 mile time trial on the H10/181 course again. After getting up at 5 am I was on the bike warming up at 6:30 the earliest I have been on a bike this year. I had just started off and got up to speed quick and even saw the average up to 29 mph 3 minutes in to the TT. However as I got closer and closer to the turn around point the average speed dropped, but coming over a slight rise I did catch my 2 minute man and that helped me push a little harder. Going around the roundabout on the aero bars and my average speed dropped even more and then I found out it was going to be a head wind back. I was heading towards the finish and my average speed was below my target and no matter what I did I could not get it 0.5 mph faster to get my target average. Coming over the last small drag I was pushing hard and could see number 1 ahead but the finish came up too soon and my average speed was too low so in the end I did a 22:42 but everyone else was slower because it was a harder day so its not too bad.

Thanks for reading

Stratford CC 10 miles time trial

2011-04-28T21:20:00.002+01:00

Today was a ten mile time trail by Stratford CC, it was two laps and flat but a bit windy. I started off and it was a tail wind and this was good until I got to the end of the road and turned left and started headed into a headwind. After I tuned off that road it was a nice cross wind that helped push me along heading towards the start, ready for my second lap. The second lap was the same as the first one but just hurt a bit more. On the last road heading towards the finish a fast rider James Wall was starting to get closer and closer! I pushed on the pedals as hard as I could and passed the line and he was not too far behind me but I managed to hold him off and I was happy with that. My time was 23:31 and I think about 4th fastest.

Thanks for reading

Banbury star 13 with a PB

2011-04-27T22:10:00.002+01:00

Tonight I rode the Banbury Star 13 mile time trial again, after missing out last week to marshal and everyone did very fast times any way tonight felt like a normal night. I started off in a lower gear and sprinted away faster and got in the aero tuck quicker. It felt fast on the way around and having trouble remembering alot of the TT. The last road that is the fastest on this course felt very quick going over 30 mph a few times and getting my max speed down the last hill of 46.3 mph and this was enough to push my average speed up to get my personal best time of 29:36 and 4th fastest.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Corley Cycles MKCA summer series 2

2011-04-22T13:03:00.002+01:00

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl again and this week we went the opposite way around. We had just started and some one looked like they where trying to up the pace so I jumped on his wheel but the bunch just sat there behind us. At the end of the flat bit at the bottom of the bowl there was a bit of cold water across the road and getting near the end I was getting warm so this was a bit refreshing... Half way though we turned off to do the bigger loop and the bunch was a bit twitchy around the bends, at one point there was a crash and it was not that far ahead of me. I think about 2 or 3 riders went down and I had to try and jump back onto the bunch. After this I just sat in the bunch and did not try to get into the sprint and just speeded up to keep pace with everyone, I think I was in the top 25 but not sure. Justin Belcher from Banbury star got in the top 10.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

I can't walk but I can cycle...

2011-04-16T19:41:00.007+01:00

Sorry no picture today

Today was the Wyre Forest CRC SPCO time trial and first off my leg was still hurting and quite hard to bend after Thursdays crash but I got on the turbo trainer and the first minute was spent trying to get my leg to bend. I then spent some time just trying to get it moving and once I had been on it for a while my knee was not to bad. I was on the start in a low gear so I could stay in the saddle and just roll away. This plan of staying in the saddle worked until it got to the first hill and I felt I was going too slow so I got out of the saddle to try and speed up and my knee was fine, no pain, nothing. I then spent the rest of the race in my time trial pace and feeling not to bad. I had just caught a rider and turned off the road heading to the finish and was just getting to the bottom of the last hill, I sprinted up it flat out to get a time of 34: something and 8th place and first junior. Although afterwards my knee went back to being stiff and painful very quickly.

Thanks for reading
Results coming soon

MK bowl With a crash

2011-04-15T15:31:00.004+01:00

Last night I raced at Milton Keynes bowl and it was half on the inner loop and half on an extra bit. I keep up OK and once we started going around the outer loop the group got a bit strung out going around the bends. The race was fun, the speed we where taking some of the bend entering the bowl was great because it swung right with a hard left then a hard right and hard left, this was fun and when everyone is in a its line safe. After laps at the same sort of pace we caught the break away and we where getting ready for the sprint finish. As we where going up the hill we where flying and coming over the line I got 7th place. However someone fell off and hit my back wheel and sent me heading for a pile of spare wheels on the side, I then did what I think is the biggest bunny hop I have ever done but landed and rolled my tub off the wheel and just soft of slid along the ground a bit until I stopped (the garmin say 29.7 mph to 0 in 13 seconds ...without using the breaks). I now have some road rash on my left knee, left of my backside and left shoulder with a couple of bruises. The Bike is all OK just a few marks on my left brake leaver but I have a very big crack in my carbon front wheel and big hole in the tub.

But at least I got 7th place and 3 points and I'm happy with that even if sleeping was a bit hard last night. Not sure if I will be able to race tomorrow in a 14 mile TT I was planing on doing but I will have to see.

My knee after the crash

Thanks for reading
Results are here

BSCC club 13

2011-04-13T20:35:00.002+01:00

Today was Banbury stars club 13 mile time trial like last week but this week it was a solo, it was a hard night because there was no tail wind only head winds and cross winds. I started off and felt like I was going ok but by the time I had to turn off that was into a headwind and the head wind felt like it was there until the last road but by that time my average speed was lower than I wanted it to be. Down the last hill felt fast but was not a quick as the week before but going up the hill I felt like I got up that very fast and then heading for the line I was pushing as hard as I could on the pedals. My time was 30:46 only 31 seconds off my PB from last year and I'm very happy with that.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Warwickshire RC 28 mile time trial

2011-04-10T19:09:00.003+01:00

Just Starting

I was on the start line ready to go and as I went off I sprinted away ready for the 28 miles of pain ahead. I just got up to speed and then had to sit up to go around the first bend, and once around it was a nice down hill bit. This road was very fast because it was mostly down hill with a few up hills. However the next road was mostly up hill. Once at the end I turn left to a lot of hills but once past the line I had one more lap to do and that meant the fun fast bit again. By the end of the fast bit I had overtaken three riders and was about to head up the hard road. I had caught a rider and the James Wall came past me (6 mins off after me and won the event) and as I hit the hill I put it on the small chain ring for the first time and started inching towards him but once over the hill he powered away and I never saw him again! I had turn off on the last road towards the finish and was going up the last steep hill and just catching a rider so I set myself the goal of staying on the aero bars and in the big ring. Coming up to the finishing line I was starting to get quite a bit of pain in my legs but I was catching a rider and once over the line I was glad I had done a good time of 01:08:32 first junior and 6th overall. This was a very well marshalled event and very well organised. Although once we got home I found out I had a puncture in my rear tub.

Just after the first lap

Thanks for reading

Oxford City RC 10

2011-04-09T13:17:00.002+01:00

Sorry no pic's

Today was a 10 mile time trial on a new course the H10/181 and a simple course just all the way out to a roundabout and then back to the finish. After I started I got into a good pace and just kept pushing all the way out, once around the turnaround point I got round safely and started heading back and was going hard to the point I can't remember much of it. I started to see the finish line in sight and just put it in the 53x11 and sprinted. I did a 22:12 a new PB and congrats to my team mate Henry Latimer beat me by 11 seconds to get a 22:01 also a PB.

Thanks for reading

Banbury star 2 up time trial

2011-04-06T21:16:00.004+01:00

Me and my 2 up partner Justin

Today was the Banbury Star CC first club time trial of the year a 2 up and after having a good warm up I was on the start line behind Justin waiting to go. We got off to a very fast start after Justin pulled his foot out of his pedal. We where going fast and sharing the work well up the first road. On to the second road and a rider was in sight but I had to ease off a bit for Justin but we still kept a good pace together. We where soon on the last road and on the right day can be very fast today however was not because it was a cross wind all the way. We where into the last village and caught a car that we overtook and never saw again. On the last down hill before going up hill we hit 46.1 mph according to my garmin and up the last hill I kept the pace steady and Justin held my wheel and over the top of the hill towards the finish I may have pulled out a bit of a gap but we got to the line in 29:44 to be the fastest.

Thanks for reading, results are here

Thames Velo Road race

2011-04-03T15:31:00.003+01:00

Today was the Thames Velo Road Race, 43 miles long and fast. The average speed was 24.7 mph and I managed to hold a position up near the front of the bunch for the race, the race started and was quick I was near the front on the start line and after the rolling start still up there. We went down the hill and got up to speed quickly and everyone stayed together and finally we got to the hill and going up it was not to bad but coming down the other side was very fast. After a some time it was the last lap witch was also a prime. On the last lap my team mate Henry Latimer went for a solo break away, I meanwhile stayed in the bunch and as we went down the last hill I heard a lot of bike going down and looked around and saw people going down, soon after this everyone eased up a bit and heading for the finish Henry still on his break away was in sight and in the last 500 meters got caught and passed. I was getting ready for the sprint on the left hand side of the road and just over the hill and I got myself into 4th place but my sprint started too early and I got passed by a lot of riders. I'm not too sure but I think I was in the top 20, Matt Derrick another team mate got 5th place.

Thanks for reading, results will be posted when I find them.

Stratford CC 10 miles time trial

2011-04-01T16:32:00.003+01:00

Last night was the Stratford CC 10 mile time trail and it looked like it would be a fast course because there was no hills. I soon found out it was very windy and the first 5 miles was in to a headwind. As I started off I felt Like I was going quick but then started slowing down and then just focusing on getting to the turn around point and hoping for a fast tale wind home. Once around the small roundabout I got up to speed quick and just when at hard as possible for the next 5 miles. Once over the line, my time was 24:03 (13:21 to the turn around point and 10:42 back). I was surprised at how long it took, but then seeing the winning time of 22:51 (by Tony Kiss) I don't think it was too bad for the day.

Thanks for reading, Results are here

MK bowl season starter 2

2011-03-19T16:16:00.007Z

Me trying to get into a breakaway

Today was the 2nd and 3rd cat race at Milton Keynes bowl and as soon as we started I know it was going to be fast and to make it harder we had to do an extra bit round the bottom. After a lot of suffering we where about half way into the race and I saw a rider ahead and so picked my point to attack and jump across the gap and as I got onto his wheel I sat there to get a quick rest but as it was my turn to go on the front the bunch where just about on top of us. On the next lap I tried to go again but the bunch did not let me get away. I then sat in the bunch for the rest of the race and on the last lap I got boxed in on the second to last bend but got round the last bend OK and then when it came to the sprint I was a bit far down but sprinted to the line but I don't think I was that high but glad to keep up with the 2nd cats. Average speed of the race was 25 mph.

Thanks for reading

Spring Chicken Road race

2011-03-12T15:05:00.006Z

The bunch

Today was the Spring Chicken Road Race, My first race on the road this year and I loved it! It was very well organised and fast paced. There was only about two crashes that I know of but the second one was a big one. We started off and had a down hill tail wind and was going very fast and as we slowed down for the first bend we all got around it and I had to ride over a rough bit and felt my bottle fall out and looked down and it had, I then saw it on the second lap but not again after that. I was sitting near the back and not sure what happened but someone went down, not sure if he had touched wheels or not but he looked like he hit the ground hard! I think there was a bit of bumping shoulders for every one in this race. The last lap I felt OK so I had a energy gel but could have done with a drink (oh well). I was a bit boxed in at the back and the pace had slowed down and I could not move up, but managed to get on to my team mate Henry Latimer's wheel but soon got split up. As I hit the hill I got over still in the bunch and at the top heard cheering from my mum and Dave Anson (a cyclist from BSCC) and I then managed to move up a bit. On the descent I managed to move up on the out side and in about the last mile I think I heard this crash and managed to keep going but there was not a lot people about and as we sprinted to the line I passed my mate Tony Kiss and counted that only three people where ahead of me and thought "bloody hell, how did I get here" and then Tony came passed me right on the line so I ended up with 5th place and am very happy with that.

I'm now going to use the price money for a new water bottle...
Me and Henry
Thanks for reading
Results here

BSCC Hard rides

2011-03-06T15:14:00.004Z

First time trail of the year today on a cold morning but at least it was dry. I did this time trail last year in a time of 1:03:27 (17th place), this year I did a time of 59:39. The course has a few ups and downs and one massive hill (sun rising hill) that us lucky riders get to ride down then up. I started off and felt like I was going fast and it turned out to be a tail wind all the way to the turn around point. I was a few miles up the road and could see a rider so I tried to dig deep and catch him and by the time I got to the top of sun rising hill I was not too far behind so I went down and was catching him, after the hair pin bend I got the pedals turning and was in the 53x11 spinning out at 48 mph as I past my minute man. I then passed another rider on the way out but as I got to the turn around point I had some bad timing and had to slow right down for a car on the roundabout. As I got around the round about I found out that there had been a tail wind all the way out, and that I now had a head wind all the way to the finish line. I caught another person on the way back but after that I could not see any one in font or behind me until I got to the finish. Sun rising hill, its a painful hill that every one suffers up and it was now my turn. As I hit the hill I saw the time was on 45 minutes ish and when I got to the top 49 minutes ish, as I was climbing I was in the 42x25 only just turning the pedals but thanks to good cheering from people watching on the bends (the more painful parts for us riders) I managed to drag my self over the top and push hard all the way to the finish and get my average speed back up to just over 23 mph to just get under the hour.

Thanks for reading
Results coming soon

First race of the year!

2011-02-26T19:31:00.002Z

Today was my first race of the year and first race in new team zappi kit and first time ever racing at Hillingdon cycle circuit. The race was 50 mins and 5 laps and as my first race this year I was in the 2nd and 3rd cats race so it was going to be fast. We had a fast pace though the race we did 27 miles in 1 hour 4 mins (avg. 25.1 mph) and not much happened no crashes but pace was high for most of it. On the last lap I felt good but was too far down the bunch to sprint to win so just tried to keep up and came over the line I think in the top half and was happy not to get dropped or crash and to keep up in the sprint.

Also Magnus Backstedt (the retired pro cyclist and winner of paris-Roubaix) was there watching his team (UK youth) who won.

Thanks for reading, also here's a video of the finish.

national hill climb champs

2010-10-31T20:08:00.002Z

Today was the National hill climb champs and after a week off because of being ill, it turns out laying on the sofa is not good training... Dovers hill was fun standing around at the bottom it started raining and I was already cold. As I started I sprinted away fast and felt good but after hitting the first bends it became harder and as I got further up it got harder. But the nice Mike Vaughan cycles guys half way up cheering help. as I got near the top the noise was amazing but once I got over the top and stopped my legs where in so much pain I could not stand up so I sat there for a long time on the top tube. My time was 5 mins 31 seconds 20 seconds slower than last time I went up it.

Thanks for reading Results are here

Coventry CC hill climbs

2010-10-17T14:51:00.006+01:00

Today was Coventry CC hill climbs and it was so cold but that's part of the fun of hill climbs. I was the first one off and so I tried to sprint away as hard as I could to start with and before I knew it I was on a steep bit but after that it was fairly flat to the finish and I gave as much as I could to get there. My time was 1 min 59 seconds to give me 4th place (8 seconds off the winning time).

The second hill was about twice as long as the first one and a lot harder. The start had quite a long flat bit before the hill and then on the hill it was steep but half way up it the tarmac turns smooth but its still hard. At the top once I finally got there I had to keep going to get to the finish line and I was so glad to get there. My time was 4 mins 18 seconds to give me 4th place again.

Thanks for reading

Bike Blenheim Palace 2010

2010-10-03T16:00:00.023+01:00

Today was another wet windy and cold day and I was racing the 20km time trial at Blenheim Palace. As I started off I sprinted away and got into a good pace quick and overtook a trike (they set off before juniors) and went around the first bend sat up as not to fall off on the first bend. Going around the back of the course was fun but with some not so fun descents. After the first lap I started to feel good so kept pushing hard and after my second lap had overtaken loads of trikes and other riders. My last lap was going well and after overtaking loads of people and felt like I was doing an OK time and on the last straight heading for the line I suddenly thought "wow, no ones overtaken me yet" and so I kept going and still no one passed me. As the finish line got closer I started sprinting out of the saddle and as I pushed down with my right leg felt the back wheel slip. But then I had to break very had to stop stop and my front break made the loudest noise ever as I slowed down. My time was 31 mins and 57 seconds to give me third in the junior

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Warwickshire RC 2 stage hill climbs

2010-09-26T17:14:00.003+01:00

Sorry no picture

Today was two hill climbs both on the same day Saintbury hill and then Dovers hill and both are very hard and on a extremely cold day, sat warming up I was using the same as I would for winter training. Saintbury hill is one I have done a couple of times before but this time would be my fastest, I set off and got going very well and managed to drag myself up the hill to a time of 7 mins 55.3 seconds a new PB for that hill.

Dovers was next and it was still cold but this time I got a bit warmer going up this hill unlike 2 hours before up the previous hill. Dovers hill is shorter but steeper but is steep all the way up unlike Saintbury that changes a lot. My time once I finally got to the top was 5 mins 19.7 seconds. My time for the two hills was 13:15.0 to give me third out of the juniors however prizes where only for first and second junior...

Thanks for reading

The Dulcie Walker Road Race

2010-09-19T17:08:00.008+01:00

Today was my first long road race and it was 62.5 miles (100km). The first 25 miles started not too bad and with a few fast bit but nothing too hard but the bunch split into two groups both of about the same size - and I was in the second group. The gap between the two groups would close a little and then open even more this made the last two laps (over 30 miles) very fast and over those miles my legs where hurting and cramping mainly when I got out of the saddle. By the time we turned on to the last road heading for the finish line I was just glad to get there but the closer I got to the line the more I though about sprinting for the line so that's what I did. As we hit the last hill I was near the back and so was my club mate Justin so I moved out to the right and just kept turning the pedals as hard as I could still sitting down like ever one else trying to sprint. As I got over the line my club mate Justin just got his wheel ahead of mine and I sat up and started getting even more cramp in my left leg. as I stopped in a layby on the side of the road the cramps was hurting so much but did start to go after a while and I then found out my other club mate Luke Souter who was in the first group got 2nd.

SCC hill climb

2010-09-10T16:59:00.004+01:00

Last night was Stratford CC hill climb a nice warm night for a hill climb, The hill climb was long but fun with a few steep bit on the climb. I started the climb and felt OK and started getting into a good pace and after what seem like a short time I got to the top of the climb in a lot of pain. My time for the climb was 8 mins and 17 seconds.

Warwick Town centre race

2010-09-05T20:14:00.003+01:00

Today was the Warwick town centre race race and it had been raining before my race but was starting to dry before I started. On the start line I was at the front but got a bit cut up just after the start. As the race went on there was 3 of us that where riding together with a few attacks but we stayed together well and where overtaking/lapping riders quite often. on the last lap a rider attacked before the last bend and got around then in the sprint for the line I was 3rd out of that group.

Thanks for reading

SCC 10.4 mile TT

2010-09-03T19:44:00.003+01:00

Last night was the Stratford CC Long Marston time trial (10.4 miles) on a nice sunny and warm night, the time trial was two laps with a few sharp left hand bends. I started off and got into a good pace very quickly and keep it up till the bends and got around them fine, but by the second lap it was getting quite hard but I managed to block the pain out and keep going. I overtook quite a few riders and did not get overtaken so I would class that as a good ride.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Milton keynes bowl last race

2010-08-27T21:31:00.002+01:00

Last night was yet another wet night at Milton Keynes bowl. The race was hard with a strong head wind round the back of the course; the group I was in just seem to get smaller and smaller until there was just 4 of us then we started passing odd riders and some got onto the back and the group got up to six. by the time the sprint came the group where going fast and out of our group I was third across the line. This is the last race at milton keynes bowl on a Thursday night and the racing there so far has been good this year.

Thanks for reading

BSCC hill climb

2010-08-25T20:00:00.002+01:00

Sorry no pic

Today was the Banbury Star CC Hill climb the last Banbury Star event of the year and my Birthday. Today was a wet and windy again (too many events in the wet lately) but I still when out there. The hill climb had only 5 people who where brave enough to go out and do it. At the bottom of the hill the rain water was just running down a hill on the start line I looked up the hill for the last time until I got to the top. I started off and sprinted hard and then I don't rember much after that but near the top I was pushing hard and my arms and lungs hurt more than my legs at the time. my time was 1 min 29 seconds to give me second place and missing out by 1 second (maybe would have been quick if not for all the cake!), however it was still a PB and new junior club record.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Corley Cycles Summer MKCA Series race 18 UPDATED

2010-08-21T11:10:00.004+01:00

Thursday night was another race at Milton Keynes bowl, however this week was wet again and I thought that this week I shall try a break away. After the start a break away tried to go so I tried to get on the back but the break did not last. A little while later I tried to get on another break away and that lasted for a few laps but then got brought back. My last break away happened with 4 laps to go but that again did not last more than a lap. So when the last lap came I got ready for the sprint and tried to get as high placed in the group; I was boxed in but at least I was up there.

Just found out I got 5th here results here

Thanks for reading

BSCC two up 13 mile time trial

2010-08-18T21:12:00.002+01:00

Sorry no pic

Today was the Banbury Star CC two up time trial, I did it with my club mate Justin Belcher. We started the time trial with Justin on the front and me on his wheel and got off to a flying start. We worked well together by changing over quite often; I think it worked well because I helped Justin up the hills and he helped me out on the down hills and a quite a bit on the flat. Once we had got to the last road towards the finish (the nice and fast road) we kept the pace very high and managed to catch a pair. As the road was at one of its faster points Justin got on the front and pushed the pace so fast and that was when we got to pass the first pair of two uper's. We kept going fast and kept working well together till we hit the last hill where Justin was on the front for the down hill and as we hit the hill Justin's gears went a bit funny (and I nearly went into the back of him) and we lost the pace a little bit; However I managed to over take him and try to pace him up the hill. But I may have gone a bit too hard because I droped him a little bit but I let him catch up and we cross the line in a time 29:24 and we where the fastest two up pair only beaten by Will Fox (Team Zappi) doing a solo ride. The Next fastest Two up pair was Bryony Costin and Clive Saunders from Bicester Millennium CC.

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Results are here

Coventry CC 25 mile TT

2010-08-14T18:40:00.005+01:00

Today was Coventry CC open 25 mile time trial in the wet and wind, it tipped down with rain before I started while I was warming up. Once I started It was down hill with quite A lot of water running down the hill all over the road so I tried to avoid it by sitting up a bit but then back to the tribars. When I turned off the first road the road went up and I had to just try get over it. Further down the road there was some bends so I sat up for them just to get around safely. by the second lap (only 2 laps) the small hill had a head wind and was so hard to get over. I got to the finish in a time of 01:01:22 with over taking four riders and only being overtaken twice.

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Corley Cycles Summer MKCA Series race 17

2010-08-13T12:46:00.003+01:00

Last night was Milton keynes bowl in the wet so the course used was just the inside loop for the hour and 5 laps. We had to race with the elites, 1st and 2nd cats but they had to start a lap down and to get any points had to lap us 3rd and 4th cats. The race luckily stayed dry but there was some standing water about but not much. In the race not much happened there was a few attacks and that was about it; there was no crashes but at the bottom of the hill we went around the bend a bit fast and I felt my back wheels slip but I was not the only one then after that the bunch took it easy around that bend. with about five laps to go the pace started getting fast but I kept in there. With 1 and a half laps to go people started trying to push me out so I just stayed in my place and up the hill heading for the bell the pace was high but I stayed there. On the last lap things settled down a bit but in the sprint up the hill heading for the line it was fast and hard but I think I was about 2nd or 3rd in the bunch sprint. There was a break away of 7 ahaed so I think I may have got a 10th place not not sure on that (will update if I find out).

Thanks for reading
Results are here

BSCC last solo time trial

2010-08-11T21:38:00.004+01:00

Sorry no pic of the race today

Today was the last banbury star 13 mile solo time trial of the year. The course was hard today on the first half but fast on the second half. The Bicester millennium CC rider Bryony Costin did a good ride tonight (She wanted me to include her on my blog :D). Tonight was hard but I started off and got into a good pace but was hurting a lot into the head wind but once that was over it was quite nice. Down the last road heading towards the finish I was in a good pace and felt like I was going fast. Up the last hill heading to the finish I was push as hard as I could and was going up the hill turning the pedals at 115RPM and gave on last hard push for the finish. My time was 30:45 about hald a min of my PB and I overtook one person and got overtaken once.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Corley Cycles Summer MKCA Series race 16

2010-08-06T14:14:00.002+01:00

Last night was Milton Keynes bowl again and it was 30 mins on the inside loop and 30 mins on the longer loop. The race was a fast pace of about 25 ish mph and went by quite quick. once the race started going around the longer loop it sped up quite a bit. On the last lap the was a rider in front off me who stated slipping back and let a gap open so I tried to pass him but we ended up bumping shoulders and nearly coming off; after that I tried to chase the main group but the gap started getting to big to close and so I finished a bit far backed than I would of liked (maybe around 20th to 30th place).

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BSCC last club 10 mile TT of the year

2010-08-04T21:29:00.002+01:00

Tonight was the Banbury star 10 mile time trial on a hilly course that is quite hard. Tonight was extremely hard because There was a strong head wind all the way out for 5 mile it was so hard to get to the turn around point. It took me about 14 mins to get to the tun around point. Once I turned around I was enjoying the tail wind with just going as fast as possible with a top speed of 52.7 mph but not sure where I did that but there was one bit that seem very fast. Today I overtook 4 people and luckily was not overtaken to finish in a time off 25.20 quite a bit off my PB.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Milton keynes bowl UPDATED 11th place

2010-07-30T11:29:00.006+01:00

Last night was Milton keynes Bowl but it was the wrong way round, we did 30 mins on the inside then 30 mins going around a longer loop. The finish line was just after the small down hill bit and at the end of the flat. The race started and after a few laps there was an attack and it went fast and the pace slowed a bit at some points but not much. The first lap around the longer loop was fast but not too bad but every time around there the speed was quite high. On the last lap I was about half way down the group and as we turned into the down hill bit I was boxed in (at about 33mph at this point). As we got onto the main straight there was a space that opened up so I went for it and sprinted hard down the out side and passed a few people. I found out that I got 11th place (just outside of the points) but I am very happy with that.

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http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/22225/Corley-Cycles-Summer-MKCA-Series-15

BSCC club 13

2010-07-28T21:24:00.002+01:00

Sorry no pic

Tonight was the Banbury star club 13 and it had been raining a bit before the start; a few people at the end said it was a hard night at the end. I started the TT and maybe started a little too hard but I then got into a good pace and tried to keep going fast. Two people over took me (bot very fast people) so I tried to match their pace but the just pulled away and got further away from me. Down the last road I felt very fast and at one point was doing 34mph on a fast bit of the road. on the last hill I could see some one ahead of me and was catching them but the finish came too soon so I could not pass him. I felt like I was doing a good ride today and with a time of 31:13 only 58 seconds off my PB.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Banbury Star open 25 mile TT

2010-07-25T17:19:00.002+01:00

Sorry no picture

Today was Banbury stars CC's open 25 mile time trial; It was windy and hard. On the way out there was a strong head wind and a few rolling hills to help slow me down even more. I got out to the turn around point and by that time had been overtaken and overtook a rider. On the return I overtook another rider and keep going in hope I could make up some time to get under the hour. further along the course getting near the last roundabout I overtook another rider who I had in my sight for a long time. After turning around again heading to the finish it was that strong head wind again so it seemed hard but I got to the finish in 1 hour 03 mins and 45 seconds, quite a bit slower than I wanted to go.

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BSCC 10 mile solo

2010-07-21T20:22:00.003+01:00

Today was Banbury stars 10 mile solo time trial, it was quite windy and fairly slow going. On the way out I was getting to the turn around point and thought that it will be more of a tail wind when I turn around -I was wrong. On the way back I managed to catch a rider after being overtaken twice. Coming up the last two hills My legs where feeling bad after yesterdays race; however I dragged myself over the last hill and pushed hard for the finish in a lot of pain and a time of 25 mins dead.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Mallory Park

2010-07-21T14:58:00.003+01:00

Last night was a race at Mallory Park, This was my first time racing there and it went OK because I stayed with the bunch and there was no crashes. The race was about 1 hour and 30mins because it was 30 laps. The pace was fast but I manged to stay with the bunch for the whole race but in the muggy heat I drank all my water bottle. On the last lap I stayed with the group but went the sprint started I could not stay near the front so I slipped back a bit but manged to keep the group not too far ahead off me and not last over the line, so that was good.

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Milton keynes bowl again

2010-07-16T14:45:00.003+01:00

Last night was the Milton keynes bowl again, on a very windy night. The race was an hour plus 5 laps and it went well with a few fast points and slow points. However on the last lap I went for a break away to try and get to the two riders up the road but after about half a lap the bunch passed me so I got on the back and tried to hang on till the sprint and was just on the back over the line.

My attack on the last lap

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BSCC 13 mile TT in the wet

2010-07-14T21:22:00.002+01:00

Today was Banbury stars club 13 mile solo time trial; as I got to the start I was on my time trial bike like normal, however it started raining and after a while the roads where quite wet. So I managed to change to my training bike (with tri bars and mudguards) as not to get too wet. I started the time trial it was still wet but not raining; so I went off and just took it easy a bit and slowed right down for the bends. Going along one road the road surface was a bit broken and a car was overtaking me and as I was going a long I felt the bike slid a bit to the right while I was going in a straight line, so I eased off. After a while I got to the last hill and got over it and finished in a time off 32 mins 55 seconds (not bad considering I was on a bike with mudguards).

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Leisure Lake Circuit Series - Race 4

2010-07-10T14:21:00.002+01:00

Last night was the last leisure lake circuit series race, last night felt like my best race out of the ones I've done there. I got dropped after about 5 laps but got in to a small group and that group started getting bigger as riders got on the back and we caught riders. This week the race felt it did not last very long (maybe I was having a good day). It was a good race but I'm glad these race's are done now.

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BSCC 25 mile TT

2010-07-07T22:06:00.004+01:00

Today was Banbury star 25 mile hilly time trial; I had a good ride (better than the last times on this course) because at each round about I was not held up by any cars this time. Out on course my speedo was not work properly (AGAIN), however it work for the good down hill bit in the middle for me to clock 50.5mph with a car in the way that I did not want to get to close to at that speed. I got about 10-15 miles in and it started spiting a bit so I tried to block it out but it did not last too long. I got around the course in a time of 1 hour 1 min and 43 seconds a new PB and junior club record, with over taking 5 people and 4 over taking me.

Thanks for reading
results are here

Leisure Lake Circuit Series - Race 3

2010-07-03T13:14:00.004+01:00

Me and a few others climbing the hill

Last night was leisure lake circuit series again. it was good because it was warm but not to hot like last week. after I got dropped from the main group me and this other person was working together but after I got on the front and lead up the hill he attacked; I tried to go with him but could not so I tried time trialing it around for a few laps and manged to get back up to him. After I got back to him I did not make that mistake again so I kept an eye on him for the rest off the race. Near the end of the race the main bunch lapped us so I got on the back for a few laps and put some space in to me and the person I was dropped with and then got dropped again with a lap to go so I just pushed to stay away and get over the line.

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club 13 mile TT

2010-06-30T21:11:00.002+01:00

Me at the finish (overtaken my dad)

Tonight was the club 13 mile TT on a calm night; but very hard. Tonight time trial was warm and muggy but I went out and overtook 2 people and only one overtook me. Not much happened out on course apart form at the end off one road I had to slow right down as some cars came at a bad time but I got going again and my speedo kept say 0 mph then changing to the speed and then saying 0 mph again; however on the down hill bit it work long enough to say I did 44 mph down there and going up the last hill near the top I overtook my dad and pushed hard to the finish. My time was 30:48 33 seconds off my PB.

Thanks for reading
Results are here

Leisure Lake Circuit Series - Race 2

2010-06-26T12:59:00.005+01:00

Last night was the Leisure lake circuit series again and this week I felt a bit better. I stayed with the group for 5 laps before getting dropped (better than last week) into a small group out the back and after after a while this group got split up and I was on my own until some one passed me and said "get on my wheel" and I did and we worked together for a few laps. I then worked my way around till I got up to the wheel off a girl and had a rest before going to the front and pulling her around and we worked together well but just over the hill trying to get it in the big ring my chain came off; I tried to put it back on but my hands where shaking too much and a marshal came over and put it back on for me I said thanks and got on and went down the hill. I managed to catch back up with the person who I was working with and then we only had 3 laps to go with got to the finish and because it was my last time up that hill I sprinted all the way up it and manged to pass someone.

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warwick and back

2010-06-24T21:26:00.009+01:00

Today was the Warwick and back time trial; it was about 30.4 miles with mostly down hill to the turn around point. on the way out there was a good down hill part where I got up to 50.8 mph and it was fun. Then after a bit of flat for a few miles then another down hill bit but I only did 40 mph down that bit. I had a good run out to the turn around point not getting held at any where but I was getting hot and had to keep drinking. Before the turn around point I over took two riders and went down the hill to the round about and got around it safely (time 37.08 to roundabout).

On the way back it was all up hill with a few flat bits and one or two down hill bits where I passed a few riders. Before this small 10% climb I was starting to get some saddle sores for sitting there for so long; so I got out the saddle a bit and that just made my legs hurt but I got over the top and had a lot to drink because there was a very big hill coming up. after a bit of riding on the flat I got ready for the last climb a long hill that was very painful but as I climbed I overtook my dad and that helped me feel like I needed to push harder but once over the top I got onto the big ring and push hard for the finish line and got there in a time of 1 hour 19 mins and 27 seconds and over taking 6 people and only 3 over took me.

Thanks for reading
Results are here